The Nigerian Bar Affiliation has expressed concern over the appointment of the convicted former chairman of the Pension Reform Activity Pressure, Abdulrasheed Maina because the Grand Patron of the Garki department of the affiliation.
In a strong-worded assertion issued on Friday, the NBA described such motion as a shame to the authorized career.
Signed by Afam Osigwe, the president of the NBA, the assertion additionally mentioned Maina’s appointment by the Chairman of the NBA Garki Department, Mr Anthony Ojo represents a mockery of the continuing struggle in opposition to corruption.
Recall that Maina was convicted by the Federal Excessive Courtroom sitting in Abuja in 2021 for stealing N2 billion from the pension fund account.
Sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment, the Enchantment Courtroom upheld the choice of the decrease Courtroom following his conviction on a 12-count cash laundering cost.
Additional addressing the appointment, Osigwe mentioned the position given to Maina by Ojo portrays the affiliation as endorsing corrupt practises regardless that the previous pension boss’s software in opposition to his conviction is pending on the Supreme Courtroom.
“Equally reprehensible was the choice of the Chairman to make feedback about Abdulrasheed Maina’s attraction, at present believed to be pending on the Supreme Courtroom.
“Whereas the NBA respects Mr Maina’s proper to exhaust his proper to attraction in opposition to the conviction, the Bar will NOT beneath any guise touch upon such an attraction or be seen to attempt to sway public opinion in his favour.
“The Affiliation won’t, beneath any guise, lend its platform, title, or institutional credibility to affect public opinion or judicial proceedings in respect of circumstances which are sub judice or take steps which may be perceived as laundering the picture of any individual convicted of felony offences.
“Any try to take action constitutes a grave violation {of professional} ethics and a direct affront to the rule of regulation,” Osigwe mentioned.
He additional directed Ojo to as a matter of urgency, withdraw the controversial appointment and desist from making statements or representations that painting the NBA in assist of any litigant in respect of circumstances pending earlier than the courts.
“In view of the foregoing, the Chairman of the NBA Garki Department, Mr. Bamidele Ojo, is hereby directed to right away withdraw any purported appointment of Mr. Abdulrasheed Maina as a Patron of the Department and to forthwith stop and desist from issuing statements, feedback, or representations on behalf of, or in assist of, Mr. Maina or every other litigant in respect of circumstances pending in courtroom.
“Any conduct that undermines these rules will entice agency and decisive institutional response,” he added.